InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Young at Heart ❯ An Encounter ( Chapter 12 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

By: Cierah

Chapter Eleven: Saying Goodbye

Inutashomaru heard his son stir, and he glanced over his shoulder quickly. He wasn't worried about Sesshoumaru being loud when he woke; it was Nurie who so far had been over excited in her waking hours. Since being in their company, there had been a hand full of times when he had to place his hand on her mouth and shush her.

As Inutashomaru watched his son wake, he also heard commands from the men at the village to change guard. Lifting his head to peer over the bushes, he narrowed his eyes at the guards who switched. The amount didn't diminish, to his annoyance, but seemed to grow in numbers at the approach of day. Sighing, he shook his head. `You would think they would be heavily guarded at night rather then the day.' He mused silently.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he glanced over into his son's golden eyes. Nodding to him, Sesshoumaru crawled into his lap and tried to peer over the bushes his father was looking over. They were too high and the young youkai frowned. Whispering, he grumbled. “I can't see anything.”

Inutashomaru nodded. “It is better this way.” He whispered.

Sesshoumaru frowned deeper. “What's over there?”

“That is Nurie's home.”

Sesshoumaru felt his eyes widen in surprise and his mouth fell open. “But you said midday, not morning.” He hissed quietly.

Inutashomaru felt his forehead crease. “We arrived earlier then I expected. I had said midday incase there was trouble.”

Sesshoumaru gripped his father's arm in his hugging it tightly. “I don't want her to go yet.” He whispered.

Inutashomaru placed his chin on his son's head and nodded slowly. “Hnn. She is missed I trust, Sesshoumaru. Her family must miss her terribly. It would be unfair of us to keep her longer when she has a mother and father who must be going out of their minds with worry.” He tried to explain. “I know if you had been taken I would be worried, and frantic.”

Sesshoumaru buried his face in his father's sleeve and nodded. “I understand.”

Inutashomaru felt a smile pull at the corners of his mouth. “We can always pass by this village to make sure things are as they should be. I will not keep you from a friend.” Peering down to his son whose face was still buried in his sleeve he smiled. “She is considered a friend of yours is she not?”

Sesshoumaru pulled his face away and lifted his golden eyes nodding slowly. “I think she is nice. She wasn't scared of us was she?”

Inutashomaru shook his head. “She has the innocence of childhood, most children aren't afraid of the unknown. Nurie also has a simple mind where she is open to all new experiences.”

Sesshoumaru frowned. “I was afraid of those men.”

Smiling at his son he nodded. “That was different, Sesshoumaru. The circumstances were far from the same. Nurie was afraid of the bandits who had her. Once she knew that we meant her no harm, she was open to being friends with us. You were afraid of the men who wished harm upon you, but you befriended a human. Do you understand what I'm saying?”

Sesshoumaru nodded, smiling broadly. “Do you think she will forget about me?”

Inutashomaru shook his head. “I think this will be forever burned in her memory, my son.” A stirring from behind caused him to shift and look at the little girl who was waking. Reaching over, he prepared to cover her mouth. To his surprise she woke quietly and sat up grinning.

Nurie crawled over and stood up in front of him, seeing how quiet they were.

Inutashomaru whispered. “Good morning, Nurie.”

She waved and placed her finger over her lips.

The youkai grinned and nodded. Lifting his gaze he pointed to the bushes. “Your home lies just over there, child.”

Nurie's mouth flew open and she snapped it shut grinning. “My mommy and daddy are there?” She whispered.

Inutashomaru nodded slowly, pulling Nurie into his lap. “I have caught their scents.”

Nurie squirmed making herself comfortable and laid her head on his shoulder, minding the large shoulder armor that donned it. Her eyes met Sesshoumaru's and she frowned. “You won't forget about me, will you?” She whispered.

Sesshoumaru felt his mouth dropped open, having been worried about that himself. Shaking his head firmly, he looked away from her piercing brown eyes. He stood up on his father's leg and whispered in his ear. “I have nothing to give her father.”

Inutashomaru frowned. “What would you give her?” He whispered back.

Sesshoumaru placed both his hands on his father's shoulders and shrugged. The small youkai placed his forehead against his father's and sighed.

Shaking his head, and wrapping his arm around his son's shoulders, he sighed. “Well, once the guards have finished arranging in their stations, we will take Nurie home.” Inutashomaru felt his heart speed up slightly at the possible danger at returning the child, and he closed his eyes taking deep breaths to calm his current state of worry. “I need both of you to listen carefully.” He started.

Nurie and Sesshoumaru nodded, looking at him with their full attention.

“When we exit the trees, I want both of you to stand behind me. Do not move from behind me until I say it is safe. Understand?”

The children nodded.

“Know this Nurie; once the men catch sight of me, and recognize me as a youkai, they will become aggressive and frightened. They may want to fight, so remaining behind me until they are calm is important. I do not wish to fight them, but to keep you both safe it may be necessary.”

Nurie nodded frowning slightly. “You won't get hurt right?”

Inutashomaru smiled gently. “I will be fine; it is you and Sesshoumaru that I'm worried about.”

“Okay.” Nurie whispered.

Inutashomaru lifted his head and peered over the bushes again, seeing the men now settling in their stations calmly and he took a deep breath again. “It is time.” He moved both children on the ground and stood up slowly. Still concealed by the foliage he fingered Tessaiga closing his eyes once again. “I may be in need of you, Tessaiga.” He whispered softly. Nodding at the answering pulse of his sword, he motioned for the children to move behind his legs and took a step out of the bushes onto the path. Swallowing the anxiety at how much danger he was placing both children and himself in, he cautiously took a step towards the heavily guarded village.

The walls were high, and slowly he walked towards it. Inutashomaru felt his heart speed up with every step he took, and he quickly glanced over his shoulder making sure both children were obeying his command to remain behind him. Satisfied that they were, he turned his head forward again. They were several feet away from the gates of the village when the first man caught sight of him, and he ground his teeth for patience.

“Someone approaches.” The man cried, pointing at him.

Inutashomaru heard the distinct sound of swords being unsheathed, and arrows being notched and he forced down the snarl that built up in his chest. Clenching his teeth, he stopped and waited.

“What business have you here?” Another guard shouted, pointing his sword at him.

“I come to speak with the man or woman whose child was taken from this village.” Inutashomaru hissed.

The men glanced at one another uncertainly for a moment, and they murmured softly. The one guard in front of the gates nodded at another several feet away, then turned his gaze back at Inutashomaru. “Who are you?”

“My business is with the child's parents. Who I am is no concern of yours.” He ground out patiently.

A guard close to him on his right cried out in sudden fear. “It's a youkai!” The man about faced and bolted towards the other guards.

The main guard lifted his sword and took a battle stance. Inutashomaru lifted his own hand to his sword and fingered the hilt, narrowing his eyes. “I am not here to fight.” He stated firmly.

“What does a youkai want with a human child's parents?” The guard shouted out.

Inutashomaru sniffed the air suddenly, smelling the approach of a familiar scent. It was one of Nurie's parents. Turning his gaze towards the scent, he saw a young man emerge from a door on the left side of the gates.

The main guard turned his head and nodded to the man. “Commander.” He said quietly.

“What is the meaning of this? I was informed that a man has come regarding my daughter?”

“It's a youkai, sir.”

The man blinked for a moment and then turned to face Inutashomaru. He lifted his hand to the guard who retook his battle stance and shook his head frowning. “What do you want?”

Nurie gasped from behind him and she whispered. “That's my daddy.”

Inutashomaru nodded hearing her whispered words and hissed back. “Remain where you are child.”

Sesshoumaru gripped her arm tightly to prevent her from racing out from behind his legs and she glanced at him curiously. “Not until my father says it's safe, remember?” He hissed.

Satisfied that Nurie was going to remain where she was, he lifted his gaze to the commander who stood beside his main guard. “You are the man whose child was taken from this village?” He asked. From the man's scent he already knew him to be her father, but he asked anyways.

“I am.” The man nodded. “What do you know about it?”

Smiling slightly, he had gotten the answer he had been waiting for. “Are you aware that bandits took your daughter?”

The man seemed to crumble at the news. His fists clenched and he glanced around him uncertainly. “Who are you demon?”

“I have not come here to fight.” He nodded pointedly at the several guards who took up their battle stations.

The commander glared at his men and barked out a command. “Stay back! Lower your weapons immediately.” Turning his gaze back to the tall silver haired youkai, he took a deep breath. “How do you know it was bandits who took my daughter?”

“I was there.” Inutashomaru said simply.

The father gasped. “What of my daughter?”

Inutashomaru turned his gaze over his shoulder and hissed. “Go to your father child.”

Nurie smiled and raced from behind his legs. “Daddy!” She cried out racing towards her father.

The man fell to his knees and felt his heart beat fast. “Nurie!” He shouted, opening his arms as she raced towards him. His gaze lifted to the demon for a moment before his daughter flew into his arms.

Inutashomaru felt Sesshoumaru grip his pants in his fists and poke his head around them slightly. Knowing they were still in danger, Inutashomaru inched over a bit to continue to hide his own child.

After Nurie and her father had reconciled, the man lifted his gaze to the demon once more, his arms still wrapped around his daughter tightly. “You have returned my daughter to me unharmed?” The man whispered, new respect filling his voice. “Why would a demon care if a human child was taken and returned to her family?”

Inutashomaru lowered his hand from Tessaiga's hilt and stared at the man for a moment. “Because I would want the same thing for myself should my child be taken from me.”

The man frowned and took a deep breath. “You have my thanks.” He stood up and inclined his head slightly.

Inutashomaru nodded his head slightly and turned away from the men, wanting to put as much distance between them and himself as possible.

“Wait!” Nurie exclaimed tearing herself from her father.

Inutashomaru paused, looking back before turning all the way.

“Daddy, I never said good-bye.” Nurie wailed.

Her father looked down and swallowed. “I am sure he heard you.”

“I meant I never said good-bye to Sesshy.” She whispered.

“Who?”

Inutashomaru glanced down at his son who was still hiding, and back over to the little girl standing slightly in front of her father.

“Please daddy? Lemme say bye.” Nurie begged. “He saved me.”

Gripping his daughters hand tightly, he escorted her towards the demon warily. “I don't like this, Nurie.”

“He won't hurt you, daddy.”

Inutashomaru felt the mans anxiety and his own rose to new heights as the man approached. The man stopped in front of him and swallowed, peering at the demon who towered over him by a foot or more. “Gods you're huge.” The man hissed.

Inutashomaru smirked. Nurie poked her head around his legs and smiled at Sesshoumaru who was holding his father's fur tightly. “Don't ever forget me, Sesshy.” She grinned.

Nurie's father frowned glancing down at his daughter who appeared to be talking with the demons pants. “Who are you talking to darling?” He whispered.

Nurie looked up and grinned. “Sesshy.”

Her father lifted his gaze to the golden ones of the demon and frowned. “Sesshy?”

Inutashomaru stepped aside, allowing her father view of his son. The man gasped and blinked. “Say good-bye, Sesshoumaru.” He whispered.

The small youkai remained planted in place, and then lifted his hand and waved slowly. Sesshoumaru stepped back behind his father quickly, and shuddered, burying his face in his father's fur pelt. Inutashomaru nodded and smiled at Nurie. “Be good child. Stay close to your parents.” Without another word, he nodded to the girl's father and turned walking down the path away from them.

Sesshoumaru clung to his father's fur tightly looking over his shoulder as they walked. Nurie stood waving to him, and he smiled. “Father?” Sesshoumaru asked, unraveling his hands from the fur and stepping up beside him.

“Yes?” Inutashomaru asked, keeping his gaze ahead of him.

“They didn't seem all that bad.” He said but hesitated feeling his father's attention on something ahead of them.

Inutashomaru barely heard his son, concentrating on the path ahead. He knew something was there, something he had felt before, and he ground his teeth in annoyance. The same presence gathered on either side of the path, and he stopped walking.

Nurie frowned seeing them stop on the path and she looked up at her father. “Daddy?”

Her father also frowned, looking at the still figures of the demon and his child. “Something's not right here.” He hissed. “Who was on duty on the grounds outskirts?” He asked his men behind him.

“Ferdrid, and his men.” One man answered.

“Dammit.” He groaned. “Nurie, I want you to get inside the gates.”

“Daddy, don't hurt them.” She whimpered.

“I won't, sweetie, now do as I say.” Drawing his sword, he walked towards the demon quickly, waving a few of his men along with him.

Inutashomaru stood still his eyes being the only thing moving, traveling the area to his left, then his right and back in front of him. He felt several men approach from behind and he growled low. The ones approaching from behind didn't have the same malicious sense as the ones on either side of him however and he snarled at his son. “Get behind me.”

Sesshoumaru jumped slightly and scrambled around his father's legs gripping the fur pelt in his hands again. The small youkai looked behind him and saw Nurie's father approach and he squeaked. “Father?” He asked, his voice wavering in growing fear.

“Remain behind me, Sesshoumaru.” Inutashomaru growled. He lifted his hand to his sword hilt and thumbed the base. His eyes trailed to his left as Nurie's father came up beside him. Narrowing his eyes, he glared at the man. “You would be wise to go back to your village.” He hissed between clenched teeth.

“These are my men approaching. They were the ones dispatched to search for my daughter. Let me take care of them.”

Inutashomaru grunted. “These men attacked me and my son in the valley not far from here. My business with them is out of anger. Know that I will protect my son from whatever evil. I sense just that approaching.”

Nurie's father frowned. “Are not all men, evil to you?”

Inutashomaru turned his head glaring at the man. “I allowed you to see my son, did I not?” He hissed. The man nodded. “I would not have done that if I thought you to be evil. I may not like your kind, but I do not attack them out of spite.” He snarled.

“What is your name demon?”

“I have many. Inu No Taisho is what you can refer to me as.”

The man nodded. “I am called Goumar. Let me try to reason with these men. I am their general. If they don't listen, then you may do to them what you wish.” He grinned suddenly, causing Inutashomaru a moment of confusion.

Snorting through his nose, the youkai nodded. “Whatever happens, Sesshoumaru, stay behind me.” He hissed.

The small youkai nodded, and clutched the fur tighter. The small inu glanced over his shoulder again and stared at the men who stood behind them. One man caught Sesshoumaru's eyes and he frowned at the glint that flared to life in the dark brown eyes. The man winked and grinned wickedly, and caused Sesshoumaru to swallow at the darkness that seemed to surround the man. Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to say something to his father, when noises from all around them drowned out his attempts at speaking. Blinking rapidly, Sesshoumaru tightened his fists in the pelt, and turned away from the man who stared at him strangely.

Sesshoumaru saw his father spread his feet wider apart and knew that he was preparing for a fight. Taking a deep breath, Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder again and jerked surprised to see the man gone. Looking around at the few that were left, he counted eight, but that dark man was gone. Frowning and grinding his teeth, his eyes flew all around him searching and caught no traces of where he had disappeared to. His heart started pounding hard in his chest, and he turned his head quickly. “Father?” He said fearfully.

Inutashomaru felt his son's panic rise, and frowned at the frantic word his son hissed. “What is it?”

“I-there is something wrong.” Sesshoumaru whimpered.

Inutashomaru had felt something out of place and jerked at those words. He nodded at his son and glared at the men who filled the path in front of him. Goumar hoisted his sword in front of him and took a step forward. The men that approached all had their weapons drawn.

“Lower your weapons!” Goumar commanded.